If you have tile floors in your home, you know they are durable and easy to care for. But over time, tile floors can accumulate dirt, grime, and stains that plain sweeping and mopping just won’t remove.
When this happens, it’s time to deep clean your tile floors with a thorough steam cleaning. But how much does it cost to steam clean tile floors?
Well, the cost to steam clean tile floors depends on several factors, which we will look at in this article. We will also compare professional steam cleaning services versus DIY options using rented or purchased steam cleaners. So, stay with us as we walk you through in this article.
Average Cost to Steam Clean Tile Floors
On average, expect to pay $0.20 to $0.40 per square foot for professional tile steam cleaning service. Most tile steam cleaning services have a minimum fee in the range of $100 to $200.
For a medium-sized room of 300 square feet, you can expect to pay $60 to $120 to have your tile floors professionally steam cleaned. Larger jobs for an entire home can range from $200 up to $500 or more.
The cost goes up if there are many rooms, the tile has heavy built-up dirt, or grout cleaning is also requested. Stains may incur an additional fee.
Factors That Affect the Cost to Steam Clean Tile
Several factors influence the overall cost to steam clean tile floors:
Size of the Area Being Cleaned
The larger the area being steam cleaned, the more time and effort it will take, driving up the total price. Closets and bathrooms will cost less than large open concept rooms. Whole house steam cleaning costs the most.
For example, cleaning a small 25 square foot bathroom may only cost $10 to $15. But cleaning a large 300 square foot family room will run $60 to $120. And doing an entire 2500 square foot home could cost $500 or more.
Type of Tile Flooring Material
Porous natural stone tiles like marble, granite, slate, and travertine require more care to steam clean than impervious ceramic and porcelain tile. Textured tile can trap more dirt as well. This can add to the cleaning time and difficulty.
Natural stone tiles are delicate and prone to damage from excessive heat, steam pressure, and harsh chemicals. So extra care must be taken, which drives up the service cost.
Level of Soiling
Heavily soiled tile with built-up dirt, stains, and grime will take longer to clean, increasing costs. Regular light steam cleaning is more affordable than periodically deep cleaning badly neglected floors.
If you stay on top of routine maintenance cleaning, each steam cleaning session will remove only light dirt. But if you allow dirt and spills to cake on, it will take intense effort to remove the layers of grime.
Frequency of Cleaning
If you steam clean your tile floors often before they get too dirty, each cleaning session will be faster and cheaper. Allowing dirt and stains to build up leads to more expensive infrequent deep cleaning.
Professionals recommend steaming tiles every 4 to 6 months to keep them looking fresh. Consistent light cleaning every few months prevents ingrained buildup that requires deep scrubbing to remove.
Professional vs DIY Steam Cleaning Costs
You can save money steam cleaning your own tile floors. But professional services ensure excellent results with less effort on your part. Consider the costs:
Professional Steam Cleaning Service Cost
Hiring professional tile floor steam cleaning costs $0.20 to $0.40 per square foot on average as noted above. Pros use powerful equipment and have expertise to handle difficult cleaning challenges safely. This ensures your floors come out looking their best.
Professional equipment is heavy duty and has appendages like brushes to loosen and remove grime. Technicians are trained on the most effective cleaning methods for different types of tile. They know the proper temperatures and techniques to avoid damaging delicate tiles.
DIY Steam Cleaner Rental Cost
DIY rental steam cleaners range from $25 to $50 per day at home improvement stores. Chemicals, pads, and accessories add more. You save on labor costs but must put in your own elbow grease. Results depend on your skill.
Handling a heavy, bulky rental unit and learning how to properly steam clean takes practice. If you fail to adequately scrub and extract the dirt, your floors won’t come clean. However, with some experience, you can clean well.
DIY Steam Cleaner Purchase Cost
Purchasing a home steam cleaning unit ranges from $100 to $400 depending on power and features. This carries a higher upfront cost but allows you to clean anytime. With experience, results can rival professional cleaning.
Buying your own cleaner means you can clean as often as needed. Over time the machine pays for itself versus continually renting. Look for models with variable steam levels, attachments, and an adequate sized water tank.
Tips to Save Money on Tile Steam Cleaning
Here are some money-saving tips for keeping your tile floors sparkling clean with steam cleaning:
Clean Regularly to Prevent Buildup
Clean tiles routinely before heavy soiling can occur. This makes each steam cleaning session go faster and easier on the wallet. Trust me, dirt is easier to remove before it builds up and hardens into stubborn layers.
Comparison Shop Services and Equipment
Check costs among local professional steam cleaning services. Compare rental rates and retail prices on DIY equipment.
Services vary, so get estimates from a few companies to cut cost.
Look for Package Deals and Coupons
Ask about special packages or discounts for whole house cleaning or booking multiple services. Check for coupons and also consider off-season savings.
Conclusion
To wrap up, the cost to steam clean tile floors falls within a wide range, with the final price depending on many factors discussed above. But to keep cost on the lower end of the range, always schedule regular maintenance cleanings and bundling services.
